[05/09/08 - 01:40 PM]NBC Gives Daring Facebook Users the Chance to Face Off with 'The Official American Gladiators Challenge'The interactive social gaming application will allow users to square off for the chance to win an official "American Gladiators" Joust Stick and more!

[via press release from NBC]

NBC GIVES DARING FACEBOOK USERS THE CHANCE TO FACE OFF WITH 'THE OFFICIAL AMERICAN GLADIATORS CHALLENGE'

Users Square Off Against Gladiators, Their Friends and the Entire Facebook Community For the Chance to Win an Official Autographed "American Gladiators" Joust Stick and Other Top Prizes

BURBANK, Calif. � May 9, 2008 - NBC will provide Facebook members the chance to face off in the interactive game "The Official American Gladiator Challenge." Based on NBC's hit series "American Gladiators," and in association with NBC.com, the interactive social gaming application -- which will include such high-octane competition as Hit & Run, Pyramid and The Wall -- will allow users to square off against gladiators, their friends and the entire Facebook community for the chance to win an official "American Gladiators" Joust Stick -- signed by the American Gladiators along with other top prizes. The application, http://apps.facebook.com/nbcgladiators/ , will go live and the challenge will begin today.

"This innovative game offers viewers the chance to enhance their gladiator experience by indulging in a full-spectrum fantasy competition that will challenge their minds but fortunately, leave them relatively unbruised," said John Miller, Chief Marketing Officer, NBC Universal Television Group and President, The NBC Agency. "We see this as a tremendous opportunity to engage fans of our shows in the environments where they are spending time, while also raising the profile of the series even further by tapping into the viral nature of social networks ."

"The Official American Gladiators Challenge" is focused on delivering a highly engaging personalized experience within popular social networks where viewers are spending increased amounts of time. Players will be able to compete as many times as they want in any of the three Gladiator challenges and then challenge their friends on Facebook to best their time and earn points.

The interactive experience will include a personalized dashboard of all gaming activity including scores, status, challenges and a real-time leader board. The leader board will include a ranking of each player's high scores among friends, the network and the global community by game and across games. Additionally, the application will feature a history of all pending and past challenges including links to detailed results pages where users can "talk smack;" as well as a badge that displays on their profile showing current score and rank.

Hulk Hogan ("Hogan Knows Best") and Laila Ali ("Dancing with the Stars") return to host the second cycle, which promises to be bigger and bolder than ever before on Monday, May 12 (8-10 p.m. ET). The series will air regularly on Mondays (8-9:30 p.m. ET). Using splashy twists including special effects, water skills and the latest technology, the classic games have been upgraded with even higher thrills, impact, energy and spectacle.

"American Gladiators" is produced by MGM Television (original series producer) and Reveille (NBC's "The Office" and "The Biggest Loser," "Nashville Star," "Ugly Betty"). Reveille's Mark Koops, Howard T. Owens and David A. Hurwitz ("Fear Factor") are the executive producers alongside Flor-Jon, Films Inc.'s Johnny Ferraro, original series creator.